ONE stall holder attending Saturday’s Twyford fete is hoping that visitors will be a bit deflated.
But it’s all in a good cause: they will be collecting old inflatables that have punctures or holes in so they can be recycled.
Organisers of the Eco Pop Up stand are asking villagers to bring along items for its special amnesty stall, and everything will be sent off to a company that plans to upcycle them into ‘funky accessories’ such as handbags.
Items of the list of acceptable donations are paddling pools, rubber dinghies, water wings, ringos, lilos, rubber rings, ribs, floating drink holder, inflatimals, globes, beach balls, latex balloons, kayaks and bouncy castles.
They can’t accept exercise or yoga balls, space hoppers, rubber gloves, helium foil balloons, swimming caps, shower curtains, footballs, hot tubs and birthing pools.
All of the donated goods will be forwarded on to Wyatt & Jack, a family-owned company based on the Isle of Wight.
In a blog post on the company’s website, it notes: “The Wyatt & Jack Inflatable Amnesty, is based on the idea, that lots of beachgoers, would be ending up throwing quite a few broken inflatables and water toys, into bins either before the end of their holidays, or on their way home.
“If you have an inflatable that has a puncture that you can’t repair, or is intended for the bin- send it our way and we will turn it into bags.”
So far the company has saved 15 tonnes of plastic inflatables from going to landfill, and the firm is looking to move to larger premises.
Other attractions
Saturday’s fete takes place on Stanlake Meadows and includes an obstacle course where participants can be blasted by foam.
And this year’s event will feature The Dog and Duck Show – as seen on the BBC TV programme Countryfile. It includes insights into how to understand dogs, demonstrations of dogs’ natural instincts and what organisers promise will be an amusing display of sheepdogs working with ducks.
In addition, a full schedule of activities is planned, including a classic car show, a tug o’-war, a football tournament and a petting zoo from Millers Ark Farm.
Hurst-based Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre will be running a dog show at the fete for the first time, and there will be music from the local Bullfrogs band. There will also be food stalls, a bar and local crafts.
Wokingham Borough Council’s Community Funday will bring a host of activities along with the climbing wall and inflatables with many of the activates being free of charge.
The event, organised by Twyford Parish Council, helps raise cash for local charities – last year’s event collected more than £2,000. To help swell the coffers this year, there will be a £3 charge for parking.
The event runs from 1pm to 5pm and Stanlake Meadows is off Waltham Road.
For more details, log on to www.facebook.com/TwyfordVillageFete
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